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Holiday Blog Posts

ORANGE you excited?! Today is the ASPCA’s birthday! That’s right, the oldest humane organization in the Western Hemisphere is turning the big 1-4-8.

It all started when our founder, Henry Bergh, decided to speak up for animals in Civil War-era New York. After gathering signatures for his “Declaration of the Rights of Animals,” Bergh was given an official charter to incorporate the ASPCA on April 10, 1866. Nine days later, the first effective anti-cruelty law in the United States was passed and, with a team of three, the ASPCA began working to enforce it. By the time Bergh died in 1888, 37 of the 38 states in the U.S. had passed anti-cruelty laws.

We have spent the past 148 years honoring Henry Bergh’s mission “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States,” and we hope you will join us in celebrating. Hug your pet, don some orange, and help us blow out these 148 candles!

Here at the ASPCA, April is our favorite month of the year. April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, and while we work to fight animal cruelty year-round, we’re looking forward to a few special opportunities to spread the word about important animal welfare issues this month.

Grab your party hats! The ASPCA will celebrate its 148th Birthday on Thursday, April 10. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we’re encouraging folks to go orange for animals. On April 10, don your favorite orange apparel and take some time to make a difference for animals in your community.

Helping pets at our Manhattan Adoption Center find loving homes takes time—and a little bit of luck. That’s why we’d love for you to help us spread the word about four cute pets who have spent quite a while waiting to find their forever homes: Teresa, Schwinn, Ghost and Romeo!

By sharing one of our fun St. Patrick’s Day-themed photos on your social networks, you’ll help these dogs and cats move one step closer to finding their pot of gold—a family to call their very own!

Every new year brings a new chance to start fresh. But while you’re resolving to get slimmer, smarter, and more successful, don’t forget about your four-legged friends! To help you keep your pets happy and healthy in 2014, we’ve put together our Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions.

10. Brush & Groom: Nobody wants a stinky pet! Resolve to brush your pet every day and check their teeth, nails and ears at least once a week. Routine care is important for your pet’s health and hygiene, and it has the added bonus of making them feel happy, pretty, and loved.

9. Get Moving: You’re not the only one who wants to get healthy in the New Year, so why not include your pet in your fitness routine? Adult dogs need at least 30 minutes of exercise twice a day—jogging, playing fetch, and swimming are all great options. Keep kitties in shape with rousing play sessions and fun furry toys.

8. Schedule a Check-Up: You go to the doctor regularly, and your pet should, too. Yearly veterinary exams will help ensure that your pet is up-to-date on the latest vaccinations and flea/heartworm medications. It will also help avoid preventable health problems like diabetes and arthritis. If it’s been a year or more since your pet has seen the vet, make an appointment today!

7. Battle the Bulge: Pets depend on us to regulate their nutrition and activity levels. When kept at their ideal body weight, they can live longer and avoid complications like heart disease and joint problems. So while it’s tempting to share table scraps, try your best to stick to healthy treats and a strict feeding schedule.

6. Try Something New: From hiking to doga (yes, doga), there are tons of things you can do to have fun with Fido. Getting out of the house will give your pet new experiences, and it’ll give you both a chance to bond. There’s just no substitute for quality time with your four-legged friend.

5. IDs, Please: All pets—even the ones who live indoors—should have an ID tag. January is a good time to make sure that all their information is up-to-date, or to invest in tags if you haven’t already. Implanted microchips are also a smart option.

4. Spay and Neuter: Did you know that in addition to keeping pet populations in check, spaying and neutering can also benefit your pet’s health? Benefits range from behavioral issues (decreased aggression and urine-marking) to a decreased risk of certain kinds of cancer. If your pet is more than 8 weeks old, now is the time to get them spayed or neutered.

3. Socialize: No, you don’t have to sign them up for Facebook. But you should take time to socialize your pets. Regular interaction with other animals can help release energy, curb anxiety, and improve communication skills. So whether it’s through training classes or regular trips to the dog park, socialization can help keep your pet at their mental and physical best.

2. Love, love, love! We know it’s obvious, but New Year’s is a great time to remind everyone that animals need lots of love and attention! Life can get hectic, but it only takes a second to stop and hug your pet. They show us unconditional love, shouldn’t we do the same?

1. Give Back: Sadly, not all animals are as fortunate as yours. If you’re ready to spread the love and help homeless animals in 2014, resolve to become an ASPCA Guardian. For just a few cents a day, you can make a huge impact on countless lives.

For two years, Spice had been in our care, recovering from extreme neglect. This sweet and social young dog longed for a family of his very own, but couldn’t seem to find one.

This month, we launched a special campaign to help get the word out about this energetic pup. We’re happy to announce that on Christmas Eve, Spice received the greatest gift of all—a loving home. Two brothers made the trip from New Jersey to adopt Spice after a friend shared his photo on Facebook.

So many people had a hand in finding Spice a home, including the Animal Care Technicians who nurtured him to our media team who helped promote his story. But we couldn’t have done any of this without your support. Thousands of you shared Spice's photos and story on your social media channels—and it made all the difference.